TheApple

Let us know.

 Well, Deven already posted what's probably the most important advice; I'm always over-prepared. New teachers (and even some old ones) can get nervous, anxious, and insecure if they're facing a class and don't know what to do next. After a while, most develop files of relevant material just for those occasions when a planned lesson ends sooner than expected or something else goes amiss. And nervous, anxious, insecure teachers tend to get very defensive and misdirect their tension onto their students. Having "back-up" will help give you the ease and self-confidence so necessary for maintaining a pleasant and productive classroom atmosphere.

Also, if money is of prime importance to you, guess what - you've chosen the wrong profession. There will probably be times when you'll wonder if you can buy gas (especially now), eat, pay the bills and make it to the next paycheck.  What keeps most of us teaching is knowing that we're making a difference, sometimes a BIG difference, for the better in our students' lives. It's those "intangibles" that not only keep us in the classroom, they also make what we do so rewarding. 

Prepare to be elated and heart-broken, frustrated and full of joy, upset and happy. But also be prepared to give your students the very best you can no matter how you feel.

Know that, as a teacher, you can and will influence your students in ways that you may never know, but that in many cases the impression that you leave will last a lifetime. What you teach is certainly important, but how you teach it and who you are is, I'd say, even more so.

Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops. That's humbling, exciting and frightening, all at the same time.

I teach freshmen students, those poor kids who want to be treated like seniors yet are scared of them.  From another listserve I am on (sorry Apple), here are some tips other people offer for handling 9th graders:

***Structure, structure, structure! Organized notes for all, mandatory assignment books, frequent notebook checks, frequent parent check-ins, long term assignments blocked out by date, bathroom passes, etc  It takes a while to get them to buy in - but eventually the kids do and it helps with classroom mgmt.  Plus, if these are not used in upper levels, they will have something to look forward to.  Especially for kids whose daily lives are so unstructured and unpredictable, having a classroom routine provides a lot of stability, safety, and focus! (not my words, "Framework for Understanding Poverty")

 *** Get outside the classroom.  Regular excursions to take measurements or observations help acquaint students with the building, grounds, and staff.  Freshmen are often nervous about going down unknown halls or out other doors - so doing it as a class helps.  We take field trips to the football field (where I happen to "mention" the process for attending games), to the cafeterias (where we measure the vending machines, coolers to show them where they are), to the nurse, office, etc for simple tasks. 

*** Use color.  I color code everything (pink goes home, orange can be used on a test, blue is for reference for homework, red is for long term assignments) .  Less guess work - but be sure to remember the color blind kids by writing the color on the paper as well. 

*** Respect your students and they will show you that same respect. Learn their names.

*** Start out with a good bit of structure.

KitRichert says ...

Let us know.

It is hard to give advice to such a broad question.  New teachers should post some specific issues or concerns.

jnewman418 says ...

While I certainly think that preparation is very important, I also think that it's equally important to remember to have fun!

I'll grant, however, that my experience as a preschool teacher makes my experience somewhat different than teachers for

older children.

 

Jason

Being prepared doesn't preclude having fun. Even having fun takes preparation.

My experience as a mentor has taught me that new teachers are often reluctant to contact parents until a problem has become a major issue. It's better to be proactive. The only way to ensure that parents understand your take on an issue is to contact them.

Most parents are reasonable, responsible people. You can talk to them - and you should.

-- Art